Holding mechanism of an optical disk clamper and an optical disk drive using the same

An optical disk clamper holding mechanism that holds an optical disk clamper includes a surrounding unit, a flange unit, a rib that touches, when the optical disk clamper moves in the direction of the flange opening, a rim portion of an upper flange unit of the optical disk clamper, the rib protruding inwardly at a position opposite to the flange opening. Since the range of clearance in which the optical disk clamper can move in the optical disk clamper holding mechanism is restricted, the optical disk clamper always fits in the turntable normally and consequently, always clamps the optical disk normally.